JP4658804B2 - folding bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of folding a bicycle is disclosed, the method comprising the following steps: turning a frond wheel (175) from a generally forward to a generally rearward orientation; unlocking a front-fork assembly (115); and folding the front-fork assembly (115) and the front wheel (175) rearward such that at least a portion of the front wheel (175) is adjacent a portion of a frame (12).

Description

  This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending PCT International Patent Application No. PCT / IB03 / 01243 (filed March 3, 2003, entitled “Folding Bicycle”, which is hereby incorporated by reference Incorporated as a reference.

(Field of Invention)
The present invention generally relates to a folding bicycle that can be folded into a relatively small arrangement and deployed for riding.

(Background of the Invention)
Folding bicycles have the advantage of being placed in a relatively small size for storage or transportation, and users (e.g., commuters, recreation fans, and camping, among others) who want to reduce storage space Popular among people who Known folding bicycles have a number of disadvantages when compared to standard non-folding bicycles. For example, known folding bicycles have a frame of two or more parts, which can be disassembled, folded or telescopically shortened. In some known folding bicycles, the folded dimensions can be further reduced through the removal of their wheels.

  Some conventional bicycle folding joints are installed in the central region of the frame, for example, in one or more of a down tube, top tube, seat tube and head tube, or bearing tube . The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that the rigidity of the frame is reduced, adversely affecting the pedaling efficiency and its overall stability.

  Another drawback associated with such known folding bicycles is that their joints that allow folding can create gaps or "play" during use. This play occurs in a flex bicycle, and the force applied to propel the bicycle is partially absorbed by the bending joint, thus reducing the pedaling efficiency. In addition, the joint itself can be a weak point in the bicycle and can cause structural breakage, instability or other undesirable cycling characteristics.

A further disadvantage is that known folding bicycles often have a smaller frame than comparable standard non-folding bicycle frames. This reduces the human artificial biological suitability for the rider. The result is a reduction in the distance that many riders can ride comfortably. Uncomfortable bicycle driving can reduce pedaling efficiency, reduce bicycle driving characteristics, and less favorably due to the different position of the front wheel and smaller wheel size compared to non-folding bicycles Absent.

Accordingly, human artificial biological comfortable during bicycle operation, if necessary, has an integral central frame structure (unitary central frame structure), if necessary, to obtain folded easily compact arrangement, and / Or, if necessary, a folding bicycle is needed that can maintain its structural rigidity and integrity despite repeated folding and unfolding.

(Summary of the Invention)
The present invention eliminates the disadvantages of known folding bicycles, some of which have been discussed above, while at the same time folding a bicycle that still has a central frame without any folding joints. By providing it, it will be greatly eliminated. The folding bicycle of the present invention is preferably generally foldable while providing a standard non-folding bicycle riding experience and durability.

  One embodiment of the present invention comprises a central frame assembly of a down tube, seat tube, top tube, and bearing tube, wherein the down tube, seat tube, top tube and bearing tube are substantially secured together. . This arrangement can enhance the ergonomic bicycle driving characteristics of a non-folding bicycle.

The foldable element of the present invention comprises a foldable front fork assembly, a foldable rear wheel assembly, and a foldable handlebar assembly as required. Each of these assemblies is an optional feature of the present invention, but these assemblies work together to reduce the collapsed size of the foldable bicycle, for example, making it easier to transport the bicycle. To do. The optional front fork assembly is equipped with a front wheel at its lower end and is connected at or near the connector post. In operation, the front fork assembly includes a coupling bar that connects the upper end of the frame with the wheel at the axle. The joint may be unlocked and actuated in the direction of the frame's down tube assembly to allow the front fork assembly to rotate about the joint. The downtube of the frame preferably has two spatially separated portions that are spaced apart from each other. Thus, when the front fork assembly is rotated around the joint, the wheel can be folded into the area between the separated parts, thereby bringing the downtube 2 into the center of the frame. Rotate through two spaced parts. Alternatively, the wheel and front fork assembly can be rotated 180 ° before being folded around the joint.
The optional handlebar assembly also serves to reduce the folded dimensions of the folded bicycle. In particular, the handlebar is locked but attached to the tube in an unlockable manner. When it is desirable to fold the bicycle, the handlebar is unlocked and rotated downward, preferably to a position in the region of the central portion of the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the handlebar is fully rotated 180 ° before folding, and the handlebar is then unlocked, with one handlegrip pointing down to a position that touches the left side of the center portion of the frame The other handle grip is in contact with the right side of the center portion of the frame. Then, using a lockable joint, their respective handlebars can be folded inward toward each other and can be folded inward in a sufficient amount so that their handlegrips cross each other.

  The optional rear wheel assembly also serves to further reduce the folded dimensions of the folded bicycle. In this embodiment, the strut assembly is lowered at an angle from just below its seat to its rear wheel axle. Preferably, the strut assembly comprises spaced or parallel bars, between which the rear wheel is mounted. At a position between the seat and the rear wheel axle, the post assembly includes a locking assembly. When the locking assembly is released, the rear wheel rotates upwardly between the bars separated by the space of the column assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the small size of this arrangement can be enhanced by using a double transmission chain with an intermediate sprocket. The chain stay, together with its rear wheel, is folded upward toward the seat. In order to facilitate the folding of the chain stay and the rear wheel, the transmission from the chain ring to the sprocket is completed by two sprockets and a shaft, i.e. constitutes two chains in series, Generate additional transmission rates. The shaft also acts as a pivot around which the chain stay and the rear wheel are folded. The front chain is between the front chainring and the intermediate sprocket, while on the shaft, the rear chain is between the intermediate sprocket and the rear sprocket, and the front sprocket and the Without changing the distance to the rear sprocket, the chain stay and the rear wheel are shifted upward. In this embodiment, the rear wheel rotates around the intermediate sprocket when the wheel is folded upward. The chain stay, together with the rear wheel, can be folded upward toward the seat. In the bicycle driving position, power is transferred from the pedal sprocket to the intermediate sprocket via the chain and then from the intermediate sprocket to the rear wheel sprocket attached to the rear wheel axle via the second chain. It is told. If the rear wheel is removed, the length of the bicycle can be even smaller in the folded position.

  In order to reduce the width of the folded bicycle, the pedal can also be folded.

  In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a collapsible two-seat bicycle is provided. In this arrangement, the second seat is placed behind the front seat and a second set of pedals is provided. In that two-seater arrangement, the second set of pedals is not necessarily required. For example, a footrest can be added at any suitable location for receiving the foot of the second rider, but preferably it is added at a location that is safely away from the operating components of the first pedal. The In addition, other optional components (eg, child seats, baskets, briefcase holders, racks, etc.) can be added in place of or in addition to the second seat. Such components can be attached in a manner and position similar to that second sheet.

  In a further embodiment, the bicycle may be equipped with a motor that provides torque in one of the sprockets or chainrings.

  These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be understood by considering the following detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

  It will be appreciated that some or all of the drawings are exemplary for purposes of illustration and need not necessarily indicate the actual relative sizes or positions of the elements shown.

(Detailed description of the invention)
In the following section, the present invention will be illustrated in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiments and examples shown should be regarded as illustrative rather than as limitations on the present invention. As indicated herein, the present invention refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Further, throughout this document, references to various embodiments of the “invention” do not imply that all embodiments or methods of the present application must have the referenced features.

  The present invention relates to a folding bicycle that includes a frame profile that provides various components in the same relationship to each other in both the folded and unfolded states. As defined in this specification, the “frame outer shape” refers to the arrangement of the tubes constituting the bicycle frame. The relationship between the tubes comprising the bicycle frame creates a specific “frame outline” overall. One feature of the foldable bicycle of the present invention is that its frame core is preferably of a unitary construction (ie, does not include a joint connecting moving parts).

  With reference to FIGS. 1, 13 and 15, one embodiment of a folding bicycle 10 of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment of the present invention comprises a core frame assembly 12, which comprises a single down tube 20 (or preferably spaced apart down tubes 165, 170), a seat tube 25, a top tube. 15 and the bearing tube 30, wherein the down tube 20, seat tube 25, top tube 15 and bearing tube 30 are in a substantially fixed relationship to each other. The downtubes 165, 170 preferably have a gap between them, the gap being approximately the same width as the front wheel 175 or slightly wider. The down tubes 165, 170 may be parallel to each other, may be angled, or may be curved. Alternatively, a single downtube with a fold is provided, or a single tube separated at the middle is provided and shaped to accommodate its front wheel when it is folded upward. The

  A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. In this embodiment, a two-seater folding bicycle 70 is provided. This embodiment comprises the various features found in that single seat embodiment 10 and includes the core frame assembly of the down tube 20 or spatially separated down tubes 165, 170, seat tube 25, top tube 15 and bearings. A tube 30 is provided, where the down tubes 165, 170, seat tube 25, top tube 15 and bearing tube 30 are substantially fixed relative to each other. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 18, the two-seater folding bicycle 70 includes a second seat tube 45 together with a second seat 40 and a second seat tube fastener 50. Preferably, the second seat tube fastener 50 is a quick release fastener, although fasteners (eg, latches, locks, and appropriate nut and bolt configurations) may be used.

  If necessary, the single-seater bicycle is arranged into a two-seater folding bicycle with its second seat tube 45 between its two upper seat stay tubes 75, 80 with its upper seat stay 85. Can be converted. The second seat tube fastener receiving portion 55 is attached to the upper seat stay 85, and the receiving portion is sized to receive the second seat tube fastener 50. The lower end of the second seat tube 45 is disposed relative to the second seat tube support 60 and is located between the two front bottom bracket tubes 90, 95 as shown in FIG. In this manner, the foldable bicycle 10 can be converted to a two-seater foldable bicycle 70 without changing its frame dimensions or changing its bicycle wheelbase.

  Referring now to FIG. 18, the two-seater foldable bicycle 70 may include a second pedal assembly 107 coupled to the intermediate sprocket assembly 110 as required. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 18, the second pedal assembly 107 is preferably aligned at the same angular position as the first pedal assembly 100. Alternatively, a pair of footrests (not shown) can be mounted anywhere on the frame (eg, on its two front bottom bracket tubes 90, 95) where appropriate, safe and convenient.

  In a further embodiment of the two-seater bicycle, the second seat 40 is arranged so that the rider of the seat 40 can face backwards. An optional footrest may be provided to provide a comfortable resting area for the rider's seat facing behind. Similarly, the seat 40 may be provided with comfort such as a backrest that, when facing forward or rearward, increases the comfort of the rider.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 14, the folding bicycle 10 of the present invention is illustrated in a folded configuration. Various optional folding features are illustrated in the drawings. In the illustrated embodiment in FIGS. 1, 4, 13 and 15, the optional folding element comprises a folding front fork assembly 115, a folding rear wheel assembly 120 and a folding handlebar assembly 125. Further, the sheet 35 may optionally frees the seat lock 123, the sheet mounting tube 124, by allowing sliding into the seat tube 25 can be retracted and into the seat tube 25 . Thus, preferably, the seat mounting tube 124 has a size that is smaller than the size of the seat tube 25 allowing the seat mounting tube 124 to move within the seat tube 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the foldable handlebar assembly 125 includes a mounting member 135 (also referred to as a gooseneck) that is rotatably coupled to a bearing tube 30 (also referred to as a headtube). The handle bar 140 is attached to the attachment member 135 about the handle bar pivot shaft 130. Preferably, the handlebar 140 is rotated from an upward position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to a folded downward position as shown, for example, in FIGS. obtain. Any mechanism may be used, its handlebar 140 facing up in the bicycle driving position and fully fixed to allow safe steering, and then releasable, and the bicycle 10,70. In the folded configuration, it is allowed to rotate downward. In one embodiment, there is a friction fit between the handlebar tube and the mounting member 135, and the mounting member is shaped to be suitable for receiving the handlebar tube. In another embodiment, a latching mechanism is provided, and in another embodiment, a ratchet mechanism is provided. The handlebar elements 140 may comprise tubing and handles 142 at their respective ends.

In one embodiment, the respective handlebar element 140 can be similarly folded inward to further reduce the folded size of the bicycle. In this embodiment, the handlebar pivot shaft 130 is provided at the intersection of the handlebar 140 and its mounting member 135. Handlebar latch 145 of an embodiment (which will free up the handlebar elements 140) is a hook and loop (hook-and-loop) type, other types of latches (e.g., quick - release latch , Or any other type of suitable latch or fastener) may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a preferred method for folding the handlebar assembly 125 will now be described. Preferably, the entire handlebar assembly 125 (along with its front wheel 175) is rotated approximately 180 ° so that the entire assembly is in a rearward direction. To accomplish this rotation, the mounting member 135 is rotated within the bearing tube 30 if desired. This rotational force is transmitted to the front wheel 175 via its associated mounting element. After this initial rotation, then the handlebar latch 145 is freed, the handlebar tube 140, along with its associated elements, is adapted to rotate around the handlebar pivot axes 130 of their own The In one embodiment of the present invention, one handlebar pivot shaft 130 is angled 45 ° and the other handlebar pivot shaft 130 is angled 35 ° to the end of its handlebar tube 140. When the handles 142 attached to are in a folded position under the top tube 15, they are prevented from contacting each other.

  With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the front fork assembly 115 is illustrated. In the bicycle driving configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the front fork assembly 115 equips the frame 12 with the front wheel 175 via a shaft. Any arrangement of the elements of the front fork assembly 115 may be used, with its front wheel 115 rotatably mounted, allowing the front wheel to move toward the frame 12 during a folding operation, if desired. It is recognized that In the illustrated embodiment, the front fork assembly 115 is pivotally attached to the bearing tube 30 of the frame 12. This includes a front fork 150 that extends forward when the folding bicycle 10 is arranged in a bicycle driving configuration, as shown in FIG. A swing arm 155 having a detachably and rotatably connected front wheel 175 is pivotally attached to the front fork 150 about a fork pivot shaft 157. A star wrap 160 having a star wrap latch 180 is fixedly attached to its swing arm 155. The swing arm 155 and the star wrap 160 are both disposed around the front wheel 175.

  In a preferred embodiment, the star wrap latch 180 is a spring lock, although other types of latches and fasteners (eg, hook and loop fasteners or quick release fasteners) may be used. The front fork assembly 115 is folded by rotating the front fork 150 about 180 °. The star wrap latch 180 is then released, freeing the star wrap 160 and the rider moves the swing arm 155 and star wrap 160 around the fork pivot shaft 157 as shown in FIGS. Try to rotate.

  An example of a folded configuration is illustrated in FIGS. In the folded configuration, its front wheel 175 moves towards the frame. This is preferably arranged between two down tube elements 165, 170 comprising that down tube 20.

  Another embodiment of the front fork assembly 115 may include two springs or shock absorbers 14, as shown in FIGS. These springs or shock absorbers are attached between the front fork 150 and any of its star wraps 160 and / or swing arms 155. The two springs or shock absorbers 14 secure the star wrap latch 180 in its closed position when the foldable bicycle 10 is configured in its driving mode. The spring or shock absorber 14 can be of any type (eg, elastomeric, hydraulic or pneumatic). It will be appreciated that the one or more springs or shock absorbers 14 may be attached at any suitable location anywhere within the front fork assembly 115.

  One feature of the folding front fork assembly 155 is that the “head angle” of the bearing tube can be configured similar to the head angle of a non-folding bicycle. The head angle determines the front fork rake angle, which affects the “quickness” of the steering. That is, the steering of the present invention makes the rider accustomed to a non-folding bicycle to feel natural, as opposed to a conventional folding bicycle with a steeper head angle that produces a steep front fork rake angle. This is provided to create a relatively quick steering and, if desired, produces an unstable or distorted steering feel.

An optional rear wheel assembly 120 is also provided. Any suitable assembly may be used to install the rear wheel rotatably relative to the frame 12 and to install one or more seat assemblies as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat stay is divided into an upper seat stay 85 and a lower seat stay 185. The upper seat stay 85 may have two upper seat stay tubes 75, 80 as shown (shown in FIG. 3). The lower seat stay 185 includes two lower seat stay tubes 190 and 195 as required, as shown in FIGS. The lower seat stay 185, seat stays and fastener receiver 215 is attached, the receiver of this is sized to receive the seat stay fastener 210. In the manner of this, the lower seat stay 185 is removably coupled to the upper seat stay 85. Preferably, the seat stay fastener 210 is of a type that is quickly released, but other suitable fasteners or latches may be used. Moreover, the arrangement | positioning of the fastener with respect to a receiver can be switched.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 10, one feature of the present invention is that the bottom bracket comprises a front bottom bracket (comprising two front bottom bracket tubes 90, 95) and a rear bottom bracket (two rear bottoms). The bracket tubes 200 and 205 are provided). These tubes are pivotally connected by a pivot 220. A central sprocket assembly 110 is rotatably coupled about the pivot 220. The central sprocket assembly 110 is connected to the forward sprocket 105 by a forward chain 225 that extends from the forward sprocket 105 to the first central sprocket 112 on the central sprocket assembly 110 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). As described). The aft chain 230 connects the second central sprocket 114 to the aft hub 235, which can comprise one or more sprockets 237, providing different gear ratios.

  In the preferred two-seater bicycle embodiment, the diameter of the first sprocket 105 is the same as the diameter of the first central sprocket 112 and the diameter of the second central sprocket 114 is 1 on the rear hub 235. Any sprocket size that is larger than the diameter of one or more sprockets 237, but that allows the pedal force generated in either of the pedal assemblies 100, 107 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 240 may be used.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rear hub 235 may comprise internal gears, or the rear hub 235 may comprise external gears and transmissions to move the chain between these gears. Further, the front sprocket 105 may include additional sprockets in addition to the two sprockets 112 and 114 in the figure. In this manner, various gear ratios can be provided. One feature of the present invention is that the two sprocket assemblies 105, 110 provide a gear ratio that may be appropriate for most bicycle speed requirements.

  Although the chains 225 and 230 are described as providing a mechanism for transmitting force between the respective sprockets 105, 110, a wheel in which the force of the hub mechanism 235 is appropriately driven from the rider's foot or hand. It should be noted that the force can be transmitted via any mechanism that allows the force to be properly transmitted. For example, force can be transmitted from the pedal 100 or 107 to the rear wheel 240 or the front wheel 175 via the drive shaft. Such drive shaft systems are widely known and are used, for example, in motorized vehicles to transmit propulsion from an engine to one or more wheels. Alternatively, a power supply 65 can be provided to provide propulsion. The power source 65 may comprise an electric motor or an internal combustion motor, which in a preferred embodiment does not increase the folded dimensions of the foldable bicycle 10 or the two-seater foldable bicycle 70.

  With reference again to FIGS. 3, 9 and 10, a method of folding the rear wheel assembly 120 will be described. When the seat stay fastener 210 is removed from the seat stay fastener receiver 215, the rear wheel 240 is rotated around the pivot 220 toward the seat 35. The front chain 225 remains positioned between the front sprocket 105 and the rear sprocket 110, while the rear chain 230 remains positioned between the rear sprocket 110 and the rear hub 230. The two rear bottom bracket tubes 200, 205 move upward together with the rear wheel 240. This arrangement of components keeps the dimensions between the front sprocket 105 and the rear sprocket 110 substantially constant during the folding process to avoid any sag in the respective chains 225, 230. Accordingly, it is impossible for the chains 225, 230 to come off during folding and unfolding of the foldable bicycle 10. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may use drive belts (preferably geared drive belts) instead of chains.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when fully folded, the rear wheel 240 is positioned adjacent to the seat 35. A locking device can be used to maintain the rear wheel 240 in the collapsed position. This greatly reduces the size of the folded bicycle 10 and allows the bicycle to be carried in a large kite, rucksack and easily loaded into a small vehicle.

  Furthermore, the pedals may also be folded to reduce the width of the foldable bicycle 10 or the two-seater foldable bicycle 70. Furthermore, the foldable bicycle 10 or the two-seater foldable bicycle 70 can be equipped with an electric motor or an internal combustion motor without increasing the folded dimensions.

  Any size wheel diameter can be used that allows the wheel to be properly folded using the provided frame assembly 12. For example, both the front wheel 175 and the rear wheel 240 can be 14 inches or 16 inches in diameter, although other wheel sizes (eg, 23 inches in diameter or other sizes) can be used. Further, the foldable bicycle 10 and the two-seater foldable bicycle 70 may include brackets, lights, fenders, kickstands, and other equipment. In addition, the frame can be sized to fit a child or a large adult, or the top tube 15 is down as traditionally provided for women's bicycles as shown in FIG. It can be positioned closer to the tube 20.

  Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, a foldable pedal assembly 11 is illustrated. A pedal mount 51 is attached to the pedal crank 16. A thin pedal member 52 is connected to the pedal mount 51. It is understood that either the thin pedal member 52 or the pedal mount 51 can rotate about the pedal crank 16. When the outer footrest 57 is pivotally connected about the pedal pivot axis 58 and in the folded position, the width of the collapsible pedal assembly 11 is significantly reduced as shown in FIG. When in the deployed position, as shown in FIG. 19, the outer footrest 57, in combination with the thin pedal member 52, provides a substantial area for receiving the driver's feet.

  Thus, it can be seen that a foldable bicycle is provided. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced other than as described above, which have been described for purposes of illustration and not limitation. The description and examples set forth in this specification and the accompanying drawings only describe embodiments of the invention. The specification and drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this patent document exclusively. Many designs other than the above embodiments are within the wording and / or legal scope of the appended claims, and the present invention is limited only by the claims. It is noted that various equivalents to the specific embodiments discussed herein can similarly practice the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention, i.e. a two-seater folding bicycle. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 according to the present invention, showing a second seat tube. FIG. 4 is a side view of the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating a foldable bicycle according to the present invention in a folded configuration. FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, showing its foldable handlebar assembly in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a detail view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, showing its foldable handlebar assembly in accordance with the present invention in a folded configuration. FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, showing its folding front fork assembly according to the present invention in a partially folded configuration. FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, showing its front fork assembly in accordance with the present invention in a fully folded configuration. FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, showing a folding rear wheel assembly according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, showing its rear wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention in a partially folded configuration. FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the sprocket arrangement of the folding bicycle according to the present invention. 12 is a cross-sectional detail view of a sprocket arrangement of a folding bicycle according to the present invention, taken along line 12-12 shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view of one embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention. 14 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, illustrating a folding bicycle according to the present invention in a partially folded configuration. FIG. 15 is a side view of one embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side view of one embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 17 is a side view of a motorized embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is a side view of a two-seater folding bicycle according to the present invention. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pedal according to the present invention. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a pedal according to the present invention.

Claims (20)

A foldable bicycle that is foldable between a driving configuration and a folded configuration:
An integral central frame structure with seat tube, bearing tube and down tube;
A handlebar assembly rotatably attached to the unitary central frame structure ;
A collapsible front fork assembly comprising a front wheel; removably coupled to the bearing tube at or near the bottom end of the bearing tube and coupled to the shaft assembly of the front wheel at the opposite end A first member to be coupled; a hinge disposed remotely from the bearing tube and the front shaft assembly; and fixedly coupled to and extending from the first member and rotating to the hinge A foldable front fork assembly including a second member operably coupled ;
The front fork assembly, prior to folding the front fork assembly, that is configured to be rotated 180 degrees in the backward direction, folding bicycle. The foldable bicycle according to claim 1 , wherein the front fork assembly is foldable to be adjacent to the down tube in a folded configuration of at least a portion of the front wheel.   The foldable bicycle of claim 1, wherein the handlebar assembly is foldable.   The folding bicycle of claim 1 further comprising a front fork locking assembly. The collapsible rear wheel assembly including a rear wheel, the rear wheel assembly being rotatable such that the rear wheel is rotated generally upward with respect to the integral central frame structure . Folding bike.   The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the handlebar assembly, fork and front wheel are in a generally forward orientation when the folding bicycle is in a driving configuration.   The foldable bicycle of claim 1, wherein the front fork assembly can be folded after the handlebar assembly, fork and front wheel are folded in a generally rearward folding orientation.   When the folding bicycle is in a folded configuration, the handlebar assembly, fork and front wheel are in a generally rearward facing position, the wheel is positioned and at least a portion of the wheel is adjacent to the down tube The folding bicycle according to claim 1. The handlebar assembly is:
An attachment member coupled to the integral central frame structure ;
At least two handle bars, each including at least one handle;
At least two spatially separated handlebar mounting assemblies, each individually connecting a corresponding handlebar individually with a hinge to the mounting assembly; and Each of the handlebars is rotatable between an operating position and a rotated lower position, wherein at least a portion of each handlebar adjacent to the integral central frame structure is positioned in the rotated lower position. The folding bicycle according to claim 1.   The folding bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism that removably secures the handlebar in an upright orientation when the folding bicycle is in a driving configuration. The folding bicycle according to claim 4 , wherein the locking assembly removably couples the fork to the bearing tube.   The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein folding the front fork assembly unlocks the locking assembly and disengages the front fork from the bearing tube. The bicycle according to any one of claims 1,2～3,4～5 and 6-11, a folding Ritatamu method between the operating configuration and the folded configuration:
The handlebar assembly and the front wheel, almost step you folded orientation to rotate 180 degrees in the rear;
The front to release the fork assemblies; and said front fork assembly, and its corresponding front wheel to the rear, at least a portion of the front wheel, in folded form so that adjacent a portion of the integral center frame structure comprising folding step, to a method. The method of folding a bicycle according to claim 13 , wherein the handlebar assembly comprises at least two handlebars each having a hinge at a corresponding angle, each handlebar being rotatable on its respective hinge. . 15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising releasing each of the hinges before rotating each of the handle bars. The method of claim 13 , wherein the front fork assembly is rotated such that at least a portion of the front wheel is adjacent to the downtube. The bicycle further comprises a foldable rear wheel assembly for attaching a rear wheel, and further comprising rotating the rear wheel assembly so that the rear wheel is rotated generally upward with respect to the integral central frame structure . The method according to claim 13 . Seatstays which the bicycle is removably coupled to the upper region of the integral center frame structure, chain stay having a first end rotatably connected to the lower region of the integral center frame structure, said chain A rear wheel coupled to the second end of the stay;
further:
Releasing the seat stay;
14. The method of claim 13 , comprising rotating the rear wheel substantially upward on a pivot axis defined by the chain stay. The method of claim 13 , wherein the front fork assembly is rotatably attached to the integral central frame structure at or near the bottom of the bearing tube. The method of claim 13 , further comprising folding the handlebar assembly downward toward the integral central frame structure .

Images